Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 31, 2010, 03:49 PM
    Afci new install trips
    I'm at the end of my rough in installation for finishing my basement. Added a total of 5 circuits. One of them being the bedroom AFCI. The AFCI trips. So my limited troubleshooting is this:

    1. Reset breaker. Soon as I flip the light switch. AFCI trips. Now I have 4 fixtures total in the bedroom (2 cans, 1 pendant, 1 closet light) Only the cans are wired in the pendants are just left pig tailed and hanging out (put wire nuts on the ends).

    Eliminated switch that seemed to activate breaker.
    2. Turned on the breaker. Checked to make sure power was getting to the outlets. Yes (soon as I activate my drill (plugged in to test the circuit) the AFCI trips.

    3. End of my troubleshooting skills.

    Question, what does "cannot share nuetral" mean?

    My wiring goes like this. Breaker to lightswitch box. Power to continue to 1st plug. 1st plug to closet light switch. Power to pass through/continue from Closet Light switch box to 3 other power plugs.

    Regards,
    Ryan
    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #2

    Jan 31, 2010, 09:01 PM

    Never mind, close this thread. Got her figured out. I would not wish troubleshooting AFCI circuits on my worst enemy.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 1, 2010, 05:53 AM
    Amen...

    Quote Originally Posted by rdtour View Post
    I would not wish troubleshooting AFCI circuits on my worst enemy.
    What did you find causing the problem?

    Your input may help others.
    rdtour's Avatar
    rdtour Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Feb 1, 2010, 01:04 PM

    I guess I'll post my embarrassment. Ok, long story short. Had the wrong nuetral wire going into the AFCI breaker. You see, I originally grounded the nuetral (not thinking). Added 5 other breakers. Went back found my mistake. Traced back to what I thought was the correct nuetral but alas no. Double checked it, found the correct one, now everything works. Stoopid me.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 1, 2010, 01:59 PM
    Thank you for the feedback. Many will learn from your lesson to be careful, and double check, when connecting wires.

    Don't be embarrassed. Even pros make mistakes like that.

    We all know don't connect black to white, but we still do that too sometimes.

    Excellent example of one of many problems that can cause issues.

    We answering questions enjoy answers too.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Why is my AFCI constantly tripping? [ 4 Answers ]

I have two bedrooms in my basement with two AFCI breakers (one for each br). One of the bedrooms keeps tripping. It seems like it is happening more and more frequently. I am afraid of a fire soon. Why is the breaker tripping? Should I just replace it or have the wiring looked at by an electrician?

Space heater trips combination AFCI [ 3 Answers ]

I just recently did some rearranging in my home. As part of the rearranging, I put in a dedicated 20 amp circuit for my laser printer that makes the lights flicker if they're on the same circuit. Since it goes into a bedroom, I used an AFCI (my jurisdiction is on the 2002 code still). Home Depot...

AFCI circuit [ 4 Answers ]

Hello, I have a condo with 2 bedrooms. The circuit for both bedrooms is on 1 AFCI breaker. The one bedroom works fine but the other does not. If I plug anything into the second bedroom it trips the breaker. I have tried a single light, a radio, a vacuum cleaner. These items all work in the other...

AFCI Breakers [ 10 Answers ]

For the purpose of discussion: Now that the 2008 NEC mandates AFCI breakers be used in new construction, should older breakers be upgraded on an as needed basis. By that I mean if you need to replace a breaker (15 or 20 amp) should you replace it with an AFCI beaker, even though not required...

View more questions Search